Seat connection mechanism using metallic and polymer components

Abstract

A seat connection mechanism and a seat employing that mechanism where the mechanism is constructed from a combination of metal, for example extruded or cast, plastic bushings and plastic covers to create a fully enclosed tilt mechanism for seats which is reliable, easy to maintain and allows for easy removal of seats for repair thereof so long as the person removing the seat knows the removal process. Thus vandalism is inhibited and a relatively economical bracket and seat is provided with substantial durability and reliability.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A seat connection mechanism comprising:
 a bracket portion which is metallic including a pivot support and two stops; 
 a pin portion which includes a support portion and a stop portion; 
 a polymeric bushing which inserts into the bracket portion at the pivot support in a fixed rotational position relative to the bracket portion such that the busing is located between the pivot support and the support portion of the pin portion; 
 a cover portion which is configured to cover an open upper portion of the bracket portion; 
 wherein the pin portion is configured to rotate in contact with the polymeric bushing such that the stop portion of the pin portion moves between the two stops of the bracket portion; and 
 wherein the cover portion is polymeric and wherein the polymeric material of the bushing and a polymeric material of the cover are different. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the bracket portion is a metallic extrusion and further comprising:
 a channel in the bracket portion arranged approximately perpendicular to an extrusion direction of the metallic extrusion. 
 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein the channel passes adjacent the pivot support. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  further comprising an open lower portion on the bracket portion and a second cover portion configured to cover the open lower portion. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4  wherein the second cover portion and the polymeric bushing are configured to interact to hold themselves together to secure both the polymeric bushing and the second cover portion to the bracket portion. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric bushing is configured to connect to a lower cover to hold the lower cover relative to the bracket portion. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6  wherein the connection between the polymeric bushing and the lower cover inhibits movement of the lower cover in an axial direction of the pin portion. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 6  wherein the lower cover includes catches which interact with the bracket portion to hold the lower cover to the bracket portion. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 2  wherein the channel is arranged on an inward facing side of the bracket portion and the polymeric bushing is configured to connect to a lower cover to inhibit the lower cover from moving outwards. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9  wherein the lower cover includes a face which abuts an outer surface of the bracket portion to inhibit the cover from moving inward. 
     
     
       11. A seat rotation mechanism comprising:
 a bracket comprising a pivot support region and at least one stop region; 
 a bushing made of a polymeric material; 
 a cover configured to at least partially cover the bracket; 
 a seat comprising a pin, the pin configured to rotate in contact with the bushing; 
 wherein the bushing is configured to fit in the pivot support region such that the bushing is supported by the bracket and the bushing is configured to interact with the cover such that the cover inhibits removal of the bushing from the pivot support region and the bushing interacts with the cover to inhibit removal of the cover from the bracket. 
 
     
     
       12. The mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the cover is polymeric and wherein the polymeric material of the bushing and a polymeric material of the cover are different. 
     
     
       13. The mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the cover is a different color than: the bushing, the metal bracket, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       14. The mechanism of  claim 11  further comprising a top cover configured to enclose an upper end of the mechanism and wherein the cover is a lower cover configured to enclose a lower end of the mechanism. 
     
     
       15. The mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the bushing interacts with the cover to inhibit movement of the bushing in an upwards direction away from the pivot support region. 
     
     
       16. The mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the bushing interacts with the cover to inhibit movement of the cover in a sideways direction. 
     
     
       17. The mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the bushing remains in a fixed rotational position relative to the bracket portion when the pin rotates against the bushing. 
     
     
       18. The mechanism of  claim 17  wherein the at least part of the cover inserts through an opening in the bracket portion and the bushing interacts with the at least part of the cover which inserts through the opening to thereby inhibit rotation of the bushing.